The Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars provides young Canadian tennis players (10 and under) with an opportunity to play competitive tennis in a fun environment. Last year approximately 1,000 boys and girls across the country competed in almost 400 events. Rising Stars tournaments are the perfect opportunity for young tennis players to improve their skills and make new friends. The Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars is designed to provide a tournament format for kids whereby they take part in multiple meaningful matches in a short block of time, making it convenient for families.
Getting Started
Rogers First Set Tour – RISING STARS is for:
- Competitors who are looking to enhance their competitive experience and meet the Whole Player Development Pathway (WPDP) competitive criteria
- We strongly recommend players having some competitive tennis playing experience (minimum of 3 events) such as Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie events or club tournaments or be in a competitive training pathway
- U7 events (red ball competition) are for players who will turn seven years old this year or younger
- U9 events (orange ball competition) are for players who will turn nine years old this year or younger
- U10 events (green ball competition) are for players who will turn 10 years old this year or younger
How to join & find a tournament
To compete in Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars tournaments, players must be a registered member of Tennis New Brunswick (TNB). The required ‘Recreational’ membership is free of charge.
Please visit the ROG page to find a Rising Stars tournament near you.
Step 1: How to register for a TNB membership
- Click on the Log In/Sign Up button
- Select Tennis New Brunswick
- Agree to Rules and Regulations
- Create a profile
- Finalize and activate account
Step 2: How to register for a tournament
- To Register for a tournament, click here.
- Click on an event that is open for registration
- Select ball type and enter players name
- Complete payment via PayPal (no account required)
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What to Expect?
Tournament Format
The aim of Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars tournaments is to provide quality matchplay opportunities for advanced U7/U9/U10 junior tennis players. Rising Stars tournaments are recommended for players looking to take their first step along the competitive pathway. Take a look at the competition formats below to see how each age groups’ matches are structured:
U7 – red ball competition
- 1/2 court will be used
- Racquet: 19-21” (depending on child’s size)
- Boys and girls combined draw
U9 – orange ball competition
- 3/4 court will be used
- Racquet: 23” (depending on child’s size)
- Boys and girls combined draw
U10 – green ball competition
- Regular full court will be used
- Racquet: 23-25” (depending on child’s size)
- Boys and girls combined draw
Draw Format
Compass or Round Robin draw format will be used to provide a minimum of three match opportunities to each player.
Match Format
Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars tournaments use modified scoring formats to provide a friendly introduction to competition and have matches completed in a shorter period of time. U7, U9, and U10 events will use one of the scoring formats outlined below.
(As many games as possible within the 20-30 minute timed match. Players will use regular game scoring with no-ads. Score-keepers will be provided for all matches.
1 set, first to 8 games with no-ad scoring, or 30-minute timed match, whichever comes first. 7-point tiebreak at 7-7, deciding point to be played at 6-6 in the tiebreak. Tennis NB staff will roam all courts to help with scoring etc.
1 set, first to 8 games with no-ad scoring, or 45-minute timed match, whichever comes first. 7-point tiebreak at 6-6, deciding point to be played at 6-6 in the tiebreak. Players will keep their own scores and Tennis NB staff will roam matches to ensure players are comfortable with score-keeping etc.
Prizing
Competitors will receive a Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars prize when they play in their first event and sporadically throughout the circuit.
Leaderboard
To create a healthy and positive competitive environment, Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars leaderboards are designed to reward participation as well as performance. Points will be awarded as follows:
- Participation Points: Points are awarded for each tournament a player competes in (10 points per tournament played)
- Tournament Points: Points are awarded for wins and ties (10 points per match win)
Tennis New Brunswick maintains 3 leaderboards: Red Ball (U7), Orange Ball (U9), and Green Ball (U10). At the end of the circuit, the top 8 players on each leaderboard are invited to play in a Final event where we will crown a champion in the Red/Orange/Green category.
Fair play
Providing a competitive environment in which all matches are contested fairly is essential to ensuring a positive experience for all players. Everyone must work together to make this happen including Tennis Canada, Provincial Associations, players, parents, and officials.
Players are expected to follow these key Fair Play elements:
- Following the rules of the game
- Treating opponents, officials, organizers, coaches, parents, and spectators with respect
- Embracing both victory and defeat with dignity
- Displaying appreciation for a good performance
- Exercising self-control
- Playing a part in creating a safe and inclusive tennis environment by not engaging in any form of maltreatment or verbal, physical or online abuse towards opponents, officials, organizers, coaches, parents, and spectators
Tennis Canada Rulebook: Rules of the Court – click here
Player & Parent Resources
Parents are asked to be familiar with the information of the Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars and tournament regulations before signing up your child to a tournament.
- Tennis Matchplay 101 – click here
- Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars: Player & Parent Checklist – click here
- Tips for Parents – click here
If you would like to provide feedback on the Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars, please take the time out to complete our survey. This short survey will take approximately five minutes to complete.
What’s the Next Step?
Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars events are designed to prepare players for entering the U12 junior provincial competitive structure.
To view the Whole Player Development Pathway (WPDP) click here.
For a complete overview of nation-wide tournaments, consult our calendar.
If you have any further questions about the Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars, please email swolf@tennisnb.ca